5 Years

Auric's heart raced as he learned that his father, Avalon, was returning to meet him. He was filled with frustration and fear, not knowing how to react. Avalon was a powerful noble, and Auric couldn't shake off the feeling that he might be facing his future murderer.

Avalon walked into the mansion with heavy and domineering steps, his presence commanding respect. Elysia, the countess, greeted him at the door.

"Welcome back, Earl Avalon," she said with utmost politeness.

"Hm... My countess. Where is Auric?" Avalon inquired.

"Please follow me, I will take you to him," Elysia replied, leading the way.

Auric's anxiety intensified as he heard their approaching footsteps. His heart was in his throat as he awaited his father's arrival. He couldn't comprehend why his father would want to harm him, his own son, as per the events in the novel. What circumstances could have led to such an outcome? Auric was at a loss, but for now, his priority was to survive this encounter.

As Avalon and Elysia entered the room, Auric's fear peaked. He didn't know how to react or how to face his father. He tried to keep his composure, but the tension in the air was palpable. Auric braced himself for whatever might come next.

The door to the room opened, and in walked a strikingly handsome man with cool white hair and piercing blue eyes, followed by a beautiful woman. They were Elysia and Avalon, Auric's parents. Auric's heart started pounding in his chest as he watched them approach his crib. He was just a baby, but he could sense the tension in the air, and he was scared.

[ Quest: Be Brave.

Description: Despite the fear, do not show any signs of weakness. Survive this encounter with Avalon without succumbing to fear or tears. You can do it!

Reward: 50 SP, 100 Exp ]

<No, I won't be scared.>

"Hello, boy." Avalon greeted...

< Fuck !! He is scary!! >

But then, Avalon's eyes narrowed as he looked at Auric's black hair, which was a stark contrast to the customary white hair of the Everlight family. In their world, the color of one's hair held significance, and the Everlight family's white hair was considered a symbol of their lineage and power. The fact that Auric had black hair was disappointing to Avalon, as it was associated with the dark element, which was frowned upon in their family of light element users.

"Hm? He has black hair? How disappointing..." Avalon muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Auric knew that his father's approval was not something he needed, but he couldn't help but feel scared in his presence. Avalon was known for his cruelty, and he had a preference for people with power and usefulness. Auric had read about how Avalon killed his own son, as per the events in the novel, and it had left a deep-seated fear in him. He had reincarnated into this child even before the novel's plot had begun, which made him even more apprehensive in front of Avalon.

As Avalon approached Auric's crib, Auric's tiny body trembled with fear. He wanted to escape this place and survive at any cost. He didn't want to meet the same fate as his character in the novel.

Avalon looked down at Auric, his cold blue eyes piercing through him. "You're a disappointment," he said with a sneer, his voice laced with contempt.

Elysia, however, gazed at Auric with a flicker of tenderness in her eyes. She reached out to caress his tiny hand, but Avalon intercepted her with a stern look.

"Don't get too attached to him, Elysia. He's not worth our attention," Avalon said dismissively, and Elysia reluctantly withdrew her hand.

A pang of sadness and longing tugged at Auric's heart as he yearned for his stepmother's affection, but he knew he couldn't reveal his vulnerability. He had to be resolute, even as a mere baby, if he wanted to endure in this unforgiving world.

Avalon continued to scrutinize Auric with a critical gaze. "He'd better not disappoint me further," he sneered.

Auric clenched his tiny fists, his determination to survive intensifying. He wouldn't allow Avalon's cruelty to crush him. He had to find a way to escape, forge his own path, and alter his destiny.

As Avalon departed the room with a final disdainful glance, Elysia lingered for a moment, her eyes brimming with sorrow as she glanced back at Auric. She gently stroked his cheek, murmuring comforting words before following her husband out of the room.

[ **Quest Complete!!

Rewards:

50 SP

100 Exp

]

[ * LEVEL UP *

Gained:

5 SP

5 AP

+.01 dexterity

+.01 strength

]

Despite leveling up and gaining an impressive 50 SP, Auric felt no elation. He was gripped with fear for being in his father's presence. At least he hadn't cried, or he might have met a grim fate.

Alone in his crib, Auric experienced a whirlwind of emotions. He was relieved that Avalon was gone, but he also felt a profound sense of betrayal from his own father. He knew he had to stay as far away from Avalon as possible if he wanted to survive.

As minutes turned into hours, Auric lay in his crib, grappling with the weight of his circumstances. He knew he had to find a way to thrive in this world, despite the challenges he faced as a black-haired child in a family of light element users.

As Auric lay there, his mind raced with thoughts of escape. He couldn't depend on anyone in this world, not even his own parents... He didn't know when Avalon would grow tired of him and dispose of him. He had to fend for himself and seize the opportunity to change his fate. But as a mere baby, his options were limited. He realized he would have to bide his time and wait for the right moment.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but Avalon did not visit Auric. For that, Auric was grateful.

After seven long months, Avalon was once again called to the battlefield to subjugate the monsters. He didn't know when he would come back, leaving behind Luna with Elysia, but he didn't mention Auric at all. Elysia, disappointed, went to comfort Auric, worried about the potential mental harm.

During those seven months, Auric managed to level up twice and was now on the cusp of reaching level 5. He had also raised his Appraisal skill to level 2, but despite his efforts, his Language Sense skill remained stagnant, even after eavesdropping on the maids' gossip. It felt like a wasted opportunity.

Auric's current status looked like this:

[

Name: Auric Everlight

Age: Over 7 months

Level: 4 (EXP: 365/500)

SP: 70

Strength (STR): 0.07

Agility (AGI): 0.03

Dexterity (DEX): 0.07

Intelligence (INT): 8

Mana: 1 + 30 (Curse Seal jewel)

Element: Dark, Thunder

Skills:

Language Sense Level 1

Appraisal Level 2

Artifact: Curse Seal jewel

]

Years passed, and Auric finally turned five. During these years, he had formed a deep bond with Luna, and she cared for him deeply. They had been through many adventures together, completing extra quests and daily tasks, which had helped Auric progress significantly. His status now read:

[

Name: Auric Everlight

Age: 5 years

Level: 13 (EXP: 60/1400)

SP: 115

Strength (STR): 0.27

Agility (AGI): 0.23

Dexterity (DEX): 0.28

Intelligence (INT): 8

Mana: 1 + 30 (Curse Seal jewel)

Element: Dark, Thunder

Skills:

Language Sense Level 1

Appraisal Level 2

Artifact: Curse Seal jewel

]

Even after leveling up and some light training Auric's stats didn't go up because of the curse and he still could not use magic...

In this world, when humans turn five, their bodies become attuned to mana, and they can begin using magic. They are also taught about the world and its intricacies. Royals and nobles receive education in etiquette, worldly knowledge, combat skills, and language, as they prepare for their future roles. Meanwhile, commoners are trained in survival and how to provide for their families.

Luna had already begun her education a year ago and would soon be attending the prestigious noble school starting next month. Over the past four years, Avalon had come home only once or twice a year, and Auric had seen him just once, during Luna's fifth birthday celebration.

However, unlike Luna, Auric had no grand party. To be honest, he was disappointed, but also relieved. He didn't have to display his magical abilities in front of strangers, as was the custom for nobles in this world. Due to the curse he still bore, Auric couldn't use magic until it was lifted, and he didn't want to risk tarnishing his family's reputation in front of unknown guests. He didn't know what Avalon would do if their family's standing was diminished.

But even though Auric was relieved, he still had to demonstrate his magic to his family, as Elysia had informed him. She was displeased that Auric hadn't had a normal celebration like other children, and she made sure he knew it.

And that day finally arrived...